What are the expats like in Yucatan: Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Merida, etc?
Gary De Spiegelaere - Celestun Properties
I live in Celestún, a village of about 7,500 people west of Merida in the state of Yucatan in the Yucatan Peninsula. Most of the expats in Celestún are very friendly and very helpful towards each other.
I meet a lot of expats at the grocery store and I stop and talk for a minute. You would always have something to say because you could ask them where they are from or how long they’ve been here, etc.
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I live in Celestún, a village of about 7,500 people west of Merida in the state of Yucatan in the Yucatan Peninsula. Most of the expats in Celestún are very friendly and very helpful towards each other.
I meet a lot of expats at the grocery store and I stop and talk for a minute. You would always have something to say because you could ask them where they are from or how long they’ve been here, etc.
The expats here in Yucatan mix well with the locals. They try to integrate themselves to the community here but they also do get out of their way to meet all the other expats.
A lot of expats come to Yucatan and think that everything is almost free or that it is very cheap. In reality, things are very reasonably priced here but you still have to buy them. Unfortunately, some people from other countries come to the Yucatan or to Mexico and think that they are going to live off of nothing and they get angry when they can’t.
The cost of living here in Mexico is cheaper compared to other North American countries. Some people come here with the thought that they could live in Mexico on $500 a month. That was true 50 years ago and some people still believe that they could do that, so they complain when things cost more even if they have the money to pay for it.
However, you can still live very cheaply here in Yucatan. The dentist in Merida (a city of over a million people in the state of Yucatan in the Yucatan Peninsula) told me a while ago that there was a lady from the US who receives a $600 pension a month and she survives here.
(Canadian expat, Gary De Spiegelaere, Celestún, Yucatan, Mexico, pictured.)
What's the cost to rent an apartment in Boquete, Panama?
Giselle Leignadier - Hacienda Los Molinos
The cost to rent an apartment in Boquete depends on several factors: location, whether it’s furnished or unfurnished, and if you are renting for short term or long term. If you are renting on a short-term basis, it tends to be more expensive compared to renting long term. In general, you can find apartments ranging from US $700 to $3,000 a month.
With a budget of $700 a month, you can rent an apartment with two bedrooms and one bathroom in a...
The cost to rent an apartment in Boquete depends on several factors: location, whether it’s furnished or unfurnished, and if you are renting for short term or long term. If you are renting on a short-term basis, it tends to be more expensive compared to renting long term. In general, you can find apartments ranging from US $700 to $3,000 a month.
With a budget of $700 a month, you can rent an apartment with two bedrooms and one bathroom in a non-gated community. It wouldn’t be within walking distance to town and it would be unfurnished. The utilities are not usually included. It may include water and garbage collection but you will have to pay for your Internet and electricity.
In the gated communities like Los Molinos, you could get a two-bedroom condo that is fully furnished for $1,000 a month. That also includes water and garbage collection but you will pay for your electricity and Internet. Los Molinos is a nice gated community with great amenities such as a swimming pool, restaurants, trails, tennis courts, and a country club.
With a budget of $1,500 per month, you could rent a two-bedroom and two and a half bathroom home in Los Molinos on a long-term basis. It would have open areas. It will be fully furnished and with complete appliances. Water and garbage collection are also included. It is also possible that you get a discount at the country club and the restaurants if you rent in Los Molinos. You could get a larger home for the same amount if you are going to rent outside of Los Molinos. The price difference depends on a location because if the house is located in Boquete Town, it would probably be a smaller house but if you live outside or Boquete, you will find bigger homes to rent for the same price.
(Happy hour at a Los Molinos restaurant, near Boquete, Panama, pictured.)
What's the closest airport to Nicaragua and what are the flights to and from Nicaragua?
Gabriel Sánchez - PRONicaragua
The national airport of Nicaragua is Augusto Cesar Sandino Airport, which is located in the capital city of Managua.
Augusto Cesar Sandino Airport has direct flights in the Central America area to Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador. The direct flights to the United States are to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston and Atlanta.
In addition to the international airport in Managua, there are a series of national airports in...
The national airport of Nicaragua is Augusto Cesar Sandino Airport, which is located in the capital city of Managua.
Augusto Cesar Sandino Airport has direct flights in the Central America area to Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador. The direct flights to the United States are to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston and Atlanta.
In addition to the international airport in Managua, there are a series of national airports in Nicaragua.
There are two airports in the North Atlantic Autonomous Region, one airport in the South Atlantic Autonomous Region, another in Corn Island (which is just off the coast of the South Atlantic Autonomous Region) and you have one in the southeast tip of the country called San Juan de Nicaragua.
There’s an airport currently being developed by the same people who built the Mukul Hotel that will give people access to the beaches in the South Pacific area, such as San Juan del Sur and Tola. (These areas are very popular beach areas and for surfing and recreation. This will be very beneficial because it will give people direct access to these areas via plane.) I believe they will call it the Emerald Coast Airport.
At the moment, you do have to go to Managua to catch international flights. However, they are working on ramping up some of the national airports. For example, the airport in Ometepe and the airport in the North Atlantic coast is currently creating conditions to be able to receive international flights.
What do I need to know about living overseas and retiring abroad?
Keila Mulero - Savvy Link
Hi I moved to Panama a year ago and I love it. I have lived in Puerto Rico, Peru, Miami, Atlanta, Indiana and Panama is by far the best choice for retirement. You must remember, and a lot of people often forget, that Panama is still a third world country. BUT with lots of advantages like currency, cost of living, life style, and much more. It's a lot safer than Puerto Rico and Miami. You can have a maid for $350 a month. Fruit and vegetables are always fresh. I even became...
Hi I moved to Panama a year ago and I love it. I have lived in Puerto Rico, Peru, Miami, Atlanta, Indiana and Panama is by far the best choice for retirement. You must remember, and a lot of people often forget, that Panama is still a third world country. BUT with lots of advantages like currency, cost of living, life style, and much more. It's a lot safer than Puerto Rico and Miami. You can have a maid for $350 a month. Fruit and vegetables are always fresh. I even became vegetarian in Panama. If you like sports, every weekend there is at least two sports events in the City or at any of its provinces. Panama has a lot of beauty. I do agree that the service industry needs a lot of improvement. When it comes to people and manners the average Panamanian is behind. However, my close Panamanian friends are well educated with manners, very good people. Traffic is an issue, like any cities such as Miami, New York, Atlanta. I have learned 'short cuts' and always managed my way out of it. One more thing, I have visited 75% of the country, I have been to places like Torrijos Carter, San Miguelito for business as well as Boca Chica, Las Lajas, Boquete, San Blas and great resorts. In summary, I know Panama very well and my experience has been fantastic.
I am permanent resident of Panama and US citizen. During my 15 years career in Corporate America I was expatriated to the US, Peru and the Dominican Republic. With the world economic situation, I found Panama as “the land of opportunities” and decided to move abroad. My family and I have experienced the whole process of relocating ourselves. We have learned the Panamanian “system” and requirements. I must admit it was frustrating and disappointing. Finally, after loosing lots of time and money, we met the right people and were able to process our residency. There are lots of scam out there, lots of attorneys that just take your money and disappear.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW - THIS IS HOW WE DID IT!
Executive Decree No. 806 October 9, 2012 - If you are citizen of any of these countries you can opt for residency like we did. The process takes 6 - 8 months depeding on how soon you present the paperwork. COUNTRIES: Canadá; Confederación de Australia; Confederación Suiza; Corea del Sur; Estados Unidos de América; Estado de Japón; Estado de Israel; Gran Ducado de Luxemburgo; Hungría; Latvia; Nueva Zelanda; Principado de Andorra; Principado de Liechtenstein; Principado de Mónaco; Reino de Bélgica; Reino de Dinamarca; Reino de España; Reino de Noruega; Reino de Suecia; Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte; Reino de los Países Bajos; Región Administrativa Especial de Hong Kong; Republica de Argentina; Republica de Austria; Republica de Checa; Republica de Chile; Republica de Chipre; Republica de Croacia; Republica Eslovaca; Republica de Estonia; Republica Helénica (Grecia); Republica Federal de Alemania; Republica Federativa de Brasil; Republica de Finlandia; Republica Francesa; Republica de Irlanda; Republica de Lituania; Republica de Malta; Republica de Montenegro; Republica Oriental de Uruguay; Republica de Polonia; Republica Portuguesa; Republica de Servia; Republica de Suiza; Republica de Sudáfrica; Republica de Taiwán; Serenísima República de Marino.
Can I get a good caregiver in Portugal and what is the cost of a good caregiver in Portugal?
Juan Matias - BLUE Boutique Hostel & SUITES
Yes, you can get a good caregiver in Portugal. But the way to do it in Portugal is not to just put an advert and wait for people to knock on your door and expect someone who is brilliant. You have to to have references like any other country in the world. Even in America, if you want a babysitter, you want references. You want someone who knows that person and that’s exactly the same here in Portugal.
In Portugal there’s no difficulty in finding in people because...
Yes, you can get a good caregiver in Portugal. But the way to do it in Portugal is not to just put an advert and wait for people to knock on your door and expect someone who is brilliant. You have to to have references like any other country in the world. Even in America, if you want a babysitter, you want references. You want someone who knows that person and that’s exactly the same here in Portugal.
In Portugal there’s no difficulty in finding in people because the unemployment rate in Portugal at the moment is 18%. So a lot of people, the unemployed, when they cannot find jobs, they apply for either taking care of children or elder people, so it’s actually quite easy to find that sort of help. You get people who would really take care, bathe the elder people, cook them a proper meal, all of this. But if the elder gets sick or has a stroke or something, they would not be prepared to help them medically. They would have to call 112, which is our version of 911.
You can hire more sophisticated help such as nurses, but then the price increases a lot. You can have an average healthcare worker with no medical experience full-time working for you for €700 to €800 (US $780 to $890) a month. A live- in person would cost around $1,000 a month. If it’s a person with medical expertise and a degree, it will cost you triple.
Lest you be skeptical of that “Best City in the World” designation in the title, dear readers, let me begin by saying that Travel + Leisure magazine in 2017 bestowed that very designation on San Miguel de Allende, as had Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2013. And many other publications have granted very similar titles to our little village over the past several years.
My bias for San Miguel, however, began many years before.
Jet Metier first heard of the term “tail twisting” from Kent Payne, who explained that it’s a way to get a cow to move where it should go by twisting its tail. Kent expounded that the same principle could be applied to people. Jet learns it did not take much tail twisting for Kent and his wife to settle down in beautiful Gran Pacifica, Nicaragua.
Jet Metier: Good morning, Kent! This interview is our way on behalf of our visitors to thank you for all...
Presented with permission from Bob Adams of Retirement Wave
In the last eight and a half years, I’ve received thousands of emails from people all over the world interested in visiting and living in Panama. I’ve met with over 400 of you when you’ve come down and I’ve had the time available when you’ve contacted me and we got together to chat.
There are certain things that come up frequently. One of the most...
I live in Celestún, a village of about 7,500 people west of Merida in the state of Yucatan in the Yucatan Peninsula. Most of the expats in Celestún are very friendly and very helpful towards each other. 
The cost to rent an apartment in Boquete depends on several factors: location, whether it’s furnished or unfurnished, and if you are renting for short term or long term. If you are renting on a short-term basis, it tends to be more expensive compared to renting long term. In general, you can find apartments ranging from US $700 to $3,000 a month. 
The national airport of Nicaragua is Augusto Cesar Sandino Airport, which is located in the capital city of Managua. 
Yes, you can get a good caregiver in Portugal. But the way to do it in Portugal is not to just put an advert and wait for people to knock on your door and expect someone who is brilliant. You have to to have references like any other country in the world. Even in America, if you want a babysitter, you want references. You want someone who knows that person and that’s exactly the same here in Portugal.
There is a long list of outdoor activities in and around Ambergris Caye. For water sports, we have the following: 
On land, there are more outdoor activities to do, including: 
Lest you be skeptical of that “Best City in the World” designation in the title, dear readers, let me begin by saying that Travel + Leisure magazine in 2017 bestowed that very designation on San Miguel de Allende, as had Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2013. And many other publications have granted very similar titles to our little village over the past several years. 